Parent Involvement

Parent Involvement

Get Involved in the Grace Community

Welcome to our Parent Page! Whether you’re a parent or support person for an incoming student or of one of our awesome returning students, this is a HUB that can guide you to find the answers to your questions. At Grace, we often say that we are a family, and we call ourselves the GRACE FAMILY. We hope that you feel part of our family as we continue to live out our mission to Graduate Courageous Ambassadors for Christ Who Make an Eternal Impact Wherever They Go. It’s never been a more important cause than right now at this very time! 

Whether you are looking for important academic calendar dates, learning more about our housing, dining and commuting options or looking for that classic Grace Christian sweatshirt, this page will be able to help you to find your answer or be put in touch with whom to ask! Welcome to Grace!

Important Dates

We know how important it is to coordinate calendars! You can always click on our calendar link to see the most updated academic calendar, which informs the entire semester and year!

A large group of Grace Students at an outdoor On-Campus event.
FALL 2025
Date Event
August 1-3 Student Leadership Summit
August 4 Early Fall Kickoff / Student check-in day
August 5 Early Fall Orientation
August 6 Early Fall classes begin at 8:00 AM (8/6-8; 8/11-14; 8/18-20)
August 20 Early Fall classes end
August 21 Fall Kick-off Day / Student check-in day
August 22 Fall Orientation for All On Campus Students
Last day for new students to register for Fall 2024 classes
August 25 Fall 2024 classes begin
Cornerstone University classes begin (OC Dual Degree students)
August 26 Convocation at 9:45 AM
August 29 Last day to add Fall 2025 classes
September 1 ALL CAMPUS OFFICES CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY – No Classes Scheduled
TBD Davenport University classes begin (OC Dual Degree students)
September 8 Last day to drop a Fall 2025 class without record
September 26-27 Homecoming Weekend
October 1 Campus Service Project – No classes or Chapel scheduled
October 16 Fall Break – No classes scheduled
October 21 Academic Advising Day – No classes or Chapel scheduled
October 31 Priority Registration for Spring 2026 ends
November 3 Last day to withdraw from a Fall 2025 course
November 24-28 Thanksgiving Break (No classes scheduled)
November 27-28 ALL CAMPUS OFFICES CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK
December 8-12 Final Exam Week
December 8-11 Cornerstone University Final Exams (OC Dual Degree students)
December 13 Davenport University classes end (OC Dual Degree students) – tentative
Dec. 15 – Jan. 9 Christmas/Winter Break (No classes scheduled)
December 16 Fall 2025 Grades due
Dec. 23 – January 1 ALL CAMPUS OFFICES CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS BREAK
Spring 2025
Date Event
TBA Cornerstone University J-Term (OC Dual Degree students)
TBA Davenport University classes begin (OC Dual Degree students)
January 9 Spring Orientation
Last day for new students to register for Spring 2026 classes
January 12 Spring 2026 classes begin
TBA Cornerstone University classes begin (OC Dual Degree students)
January 16 Last day for students to add Spring 2025 classes
January 19 ALL CAMPUS OFFICES CLOSED FOR MLK DAY – No Classes
January 26 Last day to drop a Spring 2026 course without record
March 9-12 Spring Break
March 17 Academic Advising Day – classes and chapel not scheduled
Registration for Fall 2026 classes begins
March 27 Last day to withdraw from Spring 2026 classes
April 1-2 Reading Break – No classes scheduled
April 2 Priority Registration for Fall 2026 classes ends
April 3 ALL CAMPUS OFFICES CLOSED-GOOD FRIDAY – OC Classes not scheduled
April 27-May 1 Final Exam Week
TBA Cornerstone University Final Exams (OC Dual Degree students)
TBA Davenport University classes end (OC Dual Degree students)
May 2 2026 Annual Commencement, 10:30am
May 5 Spring 2026 Grades due
The Big Freeze
Featured Event

The Big Freeze

Your student can earn thousands this February to immediately reduce their tuition bill in three seconds by taking a dip for a scholarship!

February’s in Grace are synonymous with an epic event called The Big Freeze. Student participants, referred to as the ‘The Blue Crew’, raise money with the help of friends, family, etc. for scholarships that can be applied directly to their student account to help reduce the cost of education. The catch, on event day they must spend three icy seconds in a tub of freezing cold water before they can receive these funds.

Based on their fundraising efforts, students can earn even more additional scholarships from Grace which will also immediately reduce their tuition bill as they pursue their goals in higher education.

Last year sixteen student participants raised over $13,000! Grace matched the first 10 participants to raise $250 with an additional $250. Grace also awarded ten additional scholarships based on the amount of funds raised (higher rank = higher scholarship). The 1st place fundraiser received $1,000, 2nd place $900 and so on. All funds are applied directly to student account balances for their Spring semester.

The Big Freeze is happening again this year. It’s a great way for your student to contribute to the cost of their education, so encourage them to join The Blue Crew!

Housing Choices at Grace

There are a number of housing options available to our students. Freshmen generally find a strong sense of community at Grace by beginning their college journey in the freshmen dorms located in the quad. Upper class students have their choice of campus apartments or the new Grace Townhomes.

All single students enrolled in six or more credit hours are required to room and board at the university, at home with a parent or guardian. Students who have completed four semesters of college (post-high school) are eligible for off-campus housing.

Students are not permitted to live in off-campus housing that is co-ed by unit, though housing is permitted with a sibling of the opposite gender.

On-Campus housing at Grace Christian University provides a variety of living options. Each of the residence halls has its own unique personality and style.  

  • Standard Housing includes the freshmen dorms; Preston Hall for Men and Aletheia Hall for Women. Each of the dorms has a community lounge and a free laundry facility.
  • Apartments on campus—Klein Hall (female) and Enslow Hall (male)—are a Standard Housing option for upperclassmen students. Both include a kitchen area with stove and refrigerator along with a free laundry facility. 
  • Built in 2022, The Grace Townhomes feature 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen with dishwasher, living room area and laundry facilities in each unit. Each unit houses up to 4 students. Townhomes are another housing option for upperclassmen students.
Exterior view of the Grace Townhomes on a sunny day - one of the Housing options at Grace Christian University.

Meal Plans at Grace

Meals are served on campus for all students living in residence halls, as well as commuter students who have purchased a dining plan. On-campus students can choose from up to six dining options, depending on what residence hall they are living in.

Commuter students can also purchase a meal plan from three different options. Coffee, snacks, and a la carte options are available at Kahawa Café.

Flexible meal plans offer students creative options to accommodate financial needs while providing meals from our wonderful dining hall. Rather than purchasing meals weekly, meal plan cost is per semester (typically a 15-16 week duration). Students purchase a block of meals to use throughout the semester, giving them the convenience to decide when to use those meals.

Traditional undergraduate students commuting to campus may also choose from a variety of meal plans. These plans are also purchased per semester, allowing the option to increase or decrease based on remaining quantity.

    Grace students serving lunch in the cafeteria, in the Dining Hall at Grace Christian University.

    Parent Blog

    We hope that you find these blogs written by our staff and faculty helpful as you think about how to walk with your students as they make important educational decisions or as you walk with your students through their first years of higher education through to graduation!

    The Emotions of a First Year College Student 

    The Emotions of a First Year College Student 

    Having a student working through their first year of college can bring a host of emotions for both the support system of the student and the student themselves! From the parent perspective, one might have many questions, including: Is my student safe at their...

    read more
    Campus Safety At Grace

    Campus Safety At Grace

    When prospective students and families come to campus on an official visit to Grace Christian University, one of the first questions I receive when the parents and students are taking the tour might be, “How safe is your campus?” Over the course of many years, Grace...

    read more
    Staying Connected with Your College Student 

    Staying Connected with Your College Student 

    The transition to college can be an emotional shift for parents and students alike. While students are on a journey toward independence, parents often feel left behind, unsure of how to maintain the same level of closeness as before. Staying connected with your...

    read more
    What Are Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans?

    What Are Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans?

    With college tuition costs at an all-time high and still rising, financing a degree can seem overwhelming. Most students turn to loans, and nearly 92% of U.S. student debt is managed by the U.S. Department of Education. Exploring federal loan options can offer a...

    read more
    What's your next step?

    Get Involved

    If you want more information on how to get involved, click the button below to email the Dean of Students, Jim Gamble.

    Sign up for President Kemper's Emails

    Grace Christian University Testimonial

    Student's Name